Retrospective – The UniGR-CBS Anniversary Year 2024

In 2024, the UniGR-CBS as the first Interdisciplinary Center of Expertise of the University of the Greater Region, celebrated its tenth anniversary. Researchers, stakeholders, and partners from the Greater Region and beyond were invited to the events held throughout the year to mark this milestone.

The highlights of the anniversary year are:

April 2024: Official Launch and Premiere of the UniGR-CBS Podcast

The UniGR-CBS Steering Committee officially launched the jubilee program on April 11, 2024, during its spring meeting at the University of Lorraine in Metz. Simultaneously, the new UniGR-CBS podcast, ON AIR, premiered, with its first episodes dedicated to the five working groups of the UniGR-CBS.

June 2024: Cross-Border Excursion Along the French-German Border

The UniGR-CBS working group "Cross-Border Labour and Education," in collaboration with the UniGR-CBS Coordination Unit, organized an excursion to the Warndt region. This culturally rich area along the French-German border offered an inspiring setting for cross-border collaboration and brought together members of the UniGR-CBS from all six partner universities.

July 2024: A Decade of Border Research

The 20th research colloquium of the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau’s potential area "Region and City" was dedicated to the UniGR-CBS. Presentations and discussions involving junior and senior researchers showcased projects reflecting on "10 Years of the UniGR-Center for Border Studies" and explored new avenues for continued collaboration.

October 2024: International Jubilee Conference

The international jubilee conference of the UniGR-CBS, titled "Border Struggles and (Trans)Border Alliances," stood out as the key moment of the year. More than 80 researchers from 30 countries gathered on October 17 and 18 at Saarland University for 16 panel sessions, two workshops, and keynote lectures. The event concluded with the graduation ceremony of the most recent Master in Border Studies cohort, adding a celebratory touch to the two-day conference.

November 2024: Scientific Exchange and Festive Closing Ceremony

The 12th Border Studies Seminar, hosted by the University of Lorraine, addressed the theme "Emergencies and borders: different perspectives on the “energy-climate” emergency in the Franco-German cultural area". This occasion also included a symbolic birthday cake to celebrate the UniGR-CBS jubilee.
 

A few days later, on November 27, 2024, the anniversary program concluded with a festive ceremony at the University of Luxembourg. Presidents and rectors from the six UniGR partner universities reflected on a decade of successful cross-border research collaboration during a roundtable discussion with members of the UniGR-CBS Steering Committee.

UniGR-CBS Podcast ON AIR: Special Anniversary Episode

To mark the tenth anniversary, Denise Rodrigues and Christian Wille offered exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the UniGR-CBS. In the special episode "10 Years of the UniGR-CBS Jubilee," they traced the beginnings of this Interdisciplinary Center of Expertise, discussed challenges faced by its members, and highlighted the added value of this long-term collaboration both academically and personally.

Danke – Merci – Thank you!

The UniGR-CBS warmly thanks all colleagues from the six partner universities for their commitment and contributions. With a retrospective film, the UniGR-CBS aims to remember the past ten years, during which an ambitious vision became a reality through long-standing and trust-based collaboration.

Learn more on the UniGR-CBS jubilee website